All year long we wait to descend to the warmth of the shore and its many culinary comforts. Crab cakes, ice cream, caramel corn, and lobster rolls, of course. If it’s lobster rolls you crave, then your wait is over thanks to the newly opened Quincy’s Original Lobster Rolls in Berwyn’s Swedesford Plaza Shopping Center.
This casual gem channels New England wall-to-wall: one long side depicting Maine and its harbor waters during the height of summertime, the other featuring white Cape Cod-style clapboard and mirrored windows. But let’s get back to most important part—the lobster.
Quincy’s offers a range of variations in which to experience the lobster roll (including by lettuce wrap, the ‘lobster boat’). But the best and most authentic has to be the classic. Tender Maine lobster meat served on a buttered, toasted split-top bun with a dab of mayo, lemon butter drizzle and seasoning. It’s the kind of sandwich that you want to eat in three big bites, but it’s best savored and enjoyed, especially during these blustery days of spring.
Recently PA Eats got a chance to chat with Jeremy McCann, president of Quincy’s Original, to find out more about how this new concept was conceived. Read on and then be sure to stop in—why wait for a taste till summer?
We hear that Quincy’s was conceived by a whole group of lobster roll aficionados?
Yes, there is a group of 10 friends [who own Quincy’s], and most of us are from this area. The inspiration for the restaurant was our time spent vacationing at different areas in New England. Everyone had fond memories of Maine, Cape Cod, Nantucket, etc. and we wanted to find a way to recreate that feeling, especially eating the local fare with your family and kicking back a little.
New England truly is the common thread that ties this restaurant together?
Yes, there is a real mix of professions represented! By day, we have a few doctors and finance professionals as well as a software developer, and retirees. The idea is for Quincy’s to remind everyone of the time they have spent with their families at whatever shore vacation spot they like. We want people to feel like they can stop in and get a taste of summer.
What has the reception been thus far?
The greatest thing so far has been the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received from people who either live/have lived in New England or those that vacation there regularly. They are always telling me that we compare favorably to some of the most well-known lobster roll places in that area. There has also been lots of positive feedback from people that don’t have a lot of experience with lobster rolls. They tend to get hooked after their first roll.
What is the most popular menu item?
I would say there is a tie for our most popular roll. The traditionalist loves the classic roll. It is lobster meat with a bead of mayo, chives and a little lemon butter drizzle. Our Maine Liner is also very popular. It is our own lobster salad recipe but we keep it very light on the mayo. Our BLT (Bacon Lobster Tomato; pictured below) is starting to gain popularity as well. A great way to taste them all is via the sampler, which is a half serving of any three rolls.
Quincy’s Original Lobster Rolls is located at 414 W. Swedesford Road in Berwyn. For more information, please call (484) 328-3905 or visit quincysoriginal.com.
Interior photo credited to Laura Koster; remaining images credited to Quincy’s Original Lobster Rolls.
